Coping with confusion, delusions of Alzheimer's Disease

Non-profit agencies hosted a conference in Rockaway Township for caregivers of people with Alzheimer's Disease
Peggy Wright

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Dr. Matthew Barnas, Geriatric Psychiatrist Pelorous Elder and Behavioral Health speaks during a seminar for caregivers of people with Alzheimer's, sponsored by Morris County Division on Aging, United Way, and Morristown Medical Center, and Alzheimer's New Jersey at the Morristown Medical Center Health Pavilion at Rockaway. July 28, 2017. Rockaway, NJ(Photo: Bob Karp/Staff Photographer)Buy Photo

ROCKAWAY TWP. - A parent or elderly spouse stashes the iron in the refrigerator. They hide jewelry and money under sheets in the linen closest. They insist they haven't eaten in days, minutes after finishing breakfast.

The gradual onset of dementia - an acquired syndrome of impaired cognitive and functioning power produced by brain dysfunction - in a loved one can be traumatic and stressful for the caregivers but it also can be managed to an extent through medications, legal and health care planning, acceptance and participation in support groups.

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Patricia Schauer of Fairfield talks with Morris County Sheriffs Officers Laura Bertelli and Travis Somerville during the seminar for caregivers of people with Alzheimer's, sponsored by Morris County Division on Aging, United Way, and Morristown Medical Center, and Alzheimer's New Jersey at the Morristown Medical Center Health Pavilion at Rockaway. July 28, 2017. Rockaway, NJ(Photo: Bob Karp/Staff Photographer)

Dozens of people - most of them hands-on caregivers to spouses and parents - on Saturday attended a Morris County Caregiver Conference at the Morristown Medical Center Health Pavilion in Rockaway Township. Stephanie Edwards, a mother of two young children from Sussex who is caring for her 66-year-old mother who is diagnosed with dementia, came for information on how to plan for long-range health needs and how to explain to her children their grandmother's illogical behavior at times.

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Julie Schuldner, Vice President, Development and Communications at Alzheimer's New Jersey speaks during a seminar for caregivers of people with Alzheimer's, sponsored by Morris County Division on Aging, United Way, and Morristown Medical Center, and Alzheimer's New Jersey at the Morristown Medical Center Health Pavilion at Rockaway. July 28, 2017. Rockaway, NJ(Photo: Bob Karp/Staff Photographer)

"It's very hard to see someone, someone you love, diminishing before your eyes. It's so upsetting to see and my mother has no clue she's like this," Edwards said.

The conference, entitled Alzheimer's Disease: Approaches to Care, was presented by Alzheimer's New Jersey, Morristown Medical Center, the Morris County Division on Aging, Disabilities and Community Programming, and United Way of Northern New Jersey Caregivers Coalition.

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Ophelia Cruse, Director of Morris County Division of Aging Disabilites & Community Programming speaks during a seminar for caregivers of people with Alzheimer's, sponsored by Morris County Division on Aging, United Way, and Morristown Medical Center, and Alzheimer's New Jersey at the Morristown Medical Center Health Pavilion at Rockaway. July 28, 2017. Rockaway, NJ(Photo: Bob Karp/Staff Photographer)

Geriatric Psychiatrist Dr. Matthew Barnas offered guidance on responding to medical and psychological needs in Alzheimer's patients; attorney Deirdre R. Wheatley-Liss spoke on legal and financial planning for dementia care; and Morris County Sheriff's Officers Travis Somerville and Laura Bertelli gave an overview of the office's Project Lifesaver program, which uses tracking technology to help search and rescue program clients - including children with autism and adults with dementia - who have wandered off.

One attendee asked Barnas, the psychiatrist, if she could wind up with Alzheimer's through the stress of caring for her older spouse.

"It's not putting you at risk for Alzheimer's but you need to take care of yourself," Barnas said, suggesting the wife avail herself of support groups and respite care.

Another attendee asked for help responding to a parent who insists he hasn't eaten and curses in his demands for more food.

"You try to deescalate the situation," Barnas said. Offer a healthy, low-calorie snack but never argue.

"Don't argue with him because he's not going to be able to integrate it," Barnas said.

Alzheimer's is considered a future public health crisis, with 115.4 million cases worldwide anticipated by 2050, he said. After blood tests and a brain scan have confirmed the diagnosis, Barnas said, there are an array of medications that can be prescribed to minimize symptoms of confusion, anxiety, delusions and even paranoid behavior.

He cautioned against the use of over-the-counter sleep aids with the letters PM in them as they contain Benadryl which increases confusion in people with Alzheimer's. Always encourage exercise like swimming, jogging or brisk walking for the brain-stimulating benefits, in addition to exploring day programs for people with Alzheimer's, he said.

"With social interaction, stimulating activities, there's a lot of benefit participating in these types of programs for them. There's also a lot of benefit in participating in these types of programs for the caregivers because if they're going to the program two, three, five days a week, that's two, three, five days a week that you're not providing direct care to them all day," Barnas said.

One attendee asked if it was acceptable to give a parent a glass of Scotch. With long-term alcohol abuse one of multiple causes of Alzheimer's, Barnas said, he suggested heavily diluting the Scotch with water and ice. Or better yet, a lite beer.

Barnas noted that some conditions may mimic symptoms of dementia but are reversible causes of cognitive impairment, including depression, Vitamin B12 deficiency, substance-induced causes, drug intoxication or withdrawal and some medications. Urinary tract infections are common in the elderly, he said, and can create confusion if not treated.

Safety of the person with Alzheimer's is paramount, he said. "Always safety first," in environment and managing confusion, anxiety and more extreme paranoid and violent behavior.